I love the John Lennon story about how one day in school he was told to write what he wanted to be when he grew up.  He wrote “Happy.”  He was told that he didn’t understand the assignment.  He responded, “You don’t understand life.”

This can be something of a cautionary tale for parents. So often we are too specific in setting goals for our children.  We want them to get good grades and high test scores, we want them to be named all-stars and win championships, we want them to enter professions with lucrative salaries and substantial benefits.  But is that what life is really all about?

Isn’t it enough to want our children to enjoy pursuing whatever their passions may be?  After all, there is no guarantee that anything specific will “give” someone happiness.  Happiness is something one must “find” on one’s own.

About the author:

Michael K. Meyerhoff, Ed.D. (a.k.a. “Dr. Mike”) is a member of the management team at Romp n’ Roll.  After receiving his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Columbia University, he earned his master’s and doctorate degrees in human development from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where he also held a position as a researcher with the Harvard Preschool Project.  He may be contacted via e-mail at drmike@romproll.com.

Romp n’ Roll is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com

While none of us want to even think about the loss of a loved one, many people live each day wondering if it is their loved ones’ last as they wait for an organ donor.

Stories of those who have donated organs to save lives demonstrates the incredible courage and selflessness of thousands of people – but donors are needed every day. A story on Richmondmom.com about Paul Harris, who’s life was cut way too short, is an example of how organ donation touches many lives – with a ripple effect that spans generations. Organ donation is an incredible gift to individuals and to the world – allowing people to live longer and make a difference in the community and the world.

This year’s 2013 Richmondmom.com Real Cute Kids contest is proud to recognize UNOS as the recipient of a financial donation for each child entered into our contest. It’s one way that we can help further the critical need for organ donation. We encourage you to enter our Real Cute Kids contest to help us increase the financial donation available to UNOS. The Real Cute Kids contest is sponsored by the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, Romp n’ Roll, and Real Life Studios.

About UNOS

United Network for Organ Sharing is a national nonprofit based in downtown Richmond which runs the nation’s transplant system matching lifesaving organs from deceased donors to those on the national waiting list.  This matching process happens 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  78 lifesaving transplants take place each day in this country thanks to the matching work being done by UNOS.

One organ donor can save 8 lives. There are six (6) lifesaving organs:

1. heart
2. lung
3. liver
4. kidneys
5. pancreas
6. intestine

In addition to organ donation, UNOS also has many needs for eye and tissue donation.

Currently more than 115,000 men, women and children are awaiting organ transplants to save their lives. Thousands more are in need of tissue and cornea transplants to restore their mobility and sight.

Visit the website for information about the National Donor Memorial in downtown Richmond which honors organ, eye and tissue donors across the country. And take that critical step to become an organ, eye, and tissue donor by clicking here to provide hope.

Register for the Real Cute Kids contest and we’ll make a financial donation to UNOS to thank you! Thanks to our contest sponsors for making this possible.

It’s almost time for us to find out who the cutest kid is this year!

It’s HERE!!  Check out the registration page with all of the info you need to Enter Your Real Cute Kid in our 2013 contest.

Richmondmom.com is holding our Annual Real Cute Kids contest soon. This is one of our most popular contests — and why not when we get to see all of those cute, smiling (and even sometimes crying!)  faces. Keep an eye out for details to come soon. Our prize list is growing and we’ll have more than $2,000 in prizes for our winner so start thinking about the cutest outfit for your kid!

Check out some of the photos from last year.

This year’s contest will benefit UNOS Donate Life and it’s made possible by Romp n’ Roll, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, and Real Life Studios, along with other great local businesses.

Details are coming soon.

New: 6 “Anytime” Summer Classes for $99!

Plus, purchase by 5/31 and receive 3 bonus Open Gym visits.

We know how busy summer schedules can be. So for the first time Romp n’ Roll is offering our most flexible summer option ever! Our “Summer Passport” will allow you and your child to experience any 6 classes this summer. You can attend the same class 6 times or you might choose to try a variety of classes, days, and times.

• 6 classes are only $99 and can be used anytime between June 3 and August 31, 2013.
• And, when you purchase before May 31, we’ll even include 3 Open Gym visits!

Call 804-420-4100 or click below to sign up online.

Purchase Information:

West End:  Call 804-249-5001 or purchase online

Midlothian:  Call 804-893-3142 or purchase online

Mechanicsville:  Call 730-2060 or purchase online

Details

• All classes must be taken at the location where you purchased the passport.
• Valid on any 45-60 minute age appropriate classes, subject to space availability. Our 2-hour Rompy’s Adventure is available for $10 extra per visit.
• No make-ups for missed reservations.
• All unused classes and open gym visits expire on 8/31/13.
• Siblings may not share a passport; however, our 15% sibling discount applies.
• If you are currently in a regular membership plan, you may freeze it and take advantage of this offer. Please contact us for more details.

And don’t miss the great summer camps at Romp n’ Roll! You’ll love all they have to offer.

Romp n’ Roll is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com

Romp n’ Roll

“We were exploring partnership opportunities when this idea surfaced,” explained Michael Barnett, Romp n’ Roll co-founder and CEO. “We are excited to provide a unique summer camp product that will be enhanced by the Children’s Museum’s learning environments.”

The museum offered its own summer camp programs for years, but decided last year to exit the business. “We made a commitment to focus our education resources exclusively on our SOL-based school field trips and our Kindergarten readiness programming for museum visitors,” said Liz Pearce, CMoR Director of Parent Engagement. “But with so many parents still calling the museum looking for summer opportunities for their young children, we were excited to find a partner who had the content and interest to try something creative.”

In addition to Romp n’ Roll’s normal summer program offered at their three Richmond locations, starting June 10 and running through August 23, Romp n’ Roll will expand its program to CMoR’s Central and Chesterfield locations. Each weekly Romp n’ Roll session, offered at both CMoR locations, will run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am-noon and are available for 2-5 year olds.

This new venture between Romp n’ Roll and CMoR will give Richmond area families another option as they seek summer activities for their young children. “We are always willing to try something different and new,” said Karen Coltrane, CMoR President and CEO. “We believe the combination of two brands that Richmond parents know and trust might be a welcomed alternative, especially for parents looking for a high quality first camp experience.”   

General Information

Each weekly Romp n’ Roll camp session at either CMoR location is $109 per camper. Early registration pricing is $99 for those who sign up before May 1. For complete information or to register, visit the website.

Mind Building

That’s not all Romp n’ Roll is up to either.

Introducing Mind Builders, the newest class at Romp n’ Roll!  Mind Builders is a fun and educational class where 4 and 5 year olds learn about basic design and engineering concepts through actively building and playing with LEGO® bricks.

Each week, children will build models such as seesaws, spinning tops, rafts, and much more.

After building the models, the children will conduct experiments to learn about buoyancy, stability, energy, and balance… and have a ton of fun!

• It’s a 1-hour class. April 8 – June 1 (eight weeks).
• $120 for members and $140 for non-members.

Class size is limited to just 8 children! Hurry and register. Classes are sure to fill up fast!  Call us at 804-420-4100 to reserve your child’s spot today!

The Children’s Museum of Richmond has three locations, CMoR Central at 2626 W. Broad Street in Richmond, CMoR Short Pump, located in West Broad Village at 2200 Old Brick Road in Glen Allen and CMoR Chesterfield, located in the Winterpock Crossing Shopping Center at 6629 Lake Harbour Drive in Midlothian. The Children’s Museum of Richmond has been serving the community since 1981 with the mission to create innovative learning experiences for all children and those who support them that inspire the next generation of creative problem solvers. For more information, please visit website or call (804) 474-7000.

About Romp n’ Roll 

Romp n’ Roll was founded in Richmond in 2004 by parents Michael and Babz Barnett who were seeking high quality play-based education classes for their young children in a clean, safe environment that sparked imagination. Today, Romp n’ Roll has 35 locations in the U.S., China, and South Korea featuring a curriculum for children from 3 months – 5 years of age which includes classes such as gym, art, music, science, cooking, dance, sports, and more. For more information, please visit www.rompnroll.com or call 804-420-4100.

Romp n’ Roll is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com

This offer is valid for re-enrolling families as well as new families and can be used with our 3-month membership, but can not be combined with any other offers (except for our 15% sibling discount). Enrolling online?  Use promo code SPRINGSALE   Choose any start date prior to March 31 and “get ready for some fun!”   Valid at Romp n’ Roll West End, Midlothian, and Mechanicsville.   Offer Expires: Thursday, February 28, 2013